Crash into hydrant cuts water pressure in Vermilion

VERMILION — The city of Vermilion has experienced more problems with its water system after an accident in Lorain.

After a car struck a fire hydrant early Monday on Jaeger Road, Vermilion’s water experienced low pressure, although according to Mayor Eileen Bulan, it never went below 20 psi, the required level of pressure needed for water safety.

Still, the incident was another headache for Vermilion residents, said Bulan, who fielded calls from angry residents all Monday morning.

The city went on a boil alert Sept. 7 after a leak in the ceiling of the clear water well. Surface water mixed in with the well’s treated water, leading to a high turbidity or cloudiness.

Vermilion hooked up with emergency water lines Friday after a week of residents boiling their water, and the boil alert ended Saturday. But with the city hooked up to water reserves in the city of Lorain, Vermilion experienced pressure problems until the problem was isolated.

Areas in Lorain along Jaeger Road were on a boil alert Monday afternoon, and the problem was not expected to be fixed until today.

Bulan said the eastern half of Vermilion experienced problems, but other places in the city did not report a problem. The low pressure came at a time when people were getting ready for work and school, she said.

During that time, Bulan recommended residents conserve their water and check the city of Vermilion’s website for updates.

“Everyone was a little upset,” she said. “Hopefully no one else hits a hydrant.”